U.S. Soccer Files Defense Against Equal-Pay Complaint

Federation says differences in pay between men and women are driven by factors other than gender

Matthew Futterman

The U.S. Soccer Federation filed Tuesday its defense against charges that it has violated antidiscrimination laws by not paying women who play on the national team as much as the men.

In a 20-page statement, the federation reiterated its position that the World Cup champion U.S. women are among the best compensated female players in the world, and any disparity with the men is a result of the differing nature of their compensation from club teams or an international World Cup bonus structure set by world soccer governing...

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